Carrying case



S. PLATT CARRYING CASE July 5, 1966 Filed May 2l, 1965 fz'z VER 227.27

I S/D/VEV PLA7'7' E L/ZJMLMQMZMM United States Patent O 3,259,217 CARRYING CASE Sidney Platt, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to Platt Luggage, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 21, 1965, Ser. No. 457,623 7 Claims. (Cl. 190-48) The present invention relates generally to an improved article of hand luggage and more particularly is directed `to a `substantially strengthened carrying case.

Generally those forms of luggage which are adapted Ito be carried by hand must be relatively light in weight so as to avoid adding unnecessary weight to the load being carried. At the same time the article must have -a relatively rigid structure so that it is adaptable for carrying relatively heavy loads, such as catalogs, samples, etc., without being twisted or deformed.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved carrying case of the above character.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved unitary wall construction for a carrying case so as to increase its structural strength and to enhance its load-bearing properties.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carrying case having `an improved wall construction so as yto provide a more rigid structure adaptable for transporting relatively heavy objects such as catalogs and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved, unitary side Wall and bottom 'wall structure integrally fastened to rigid end walls and having an improved lid piece construction so as to increase the load-bearing properties of the structure las well as to increase the degree of protection afforded its contents.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rigid carrying case which is attractive in appearance and extremely durable in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a partially broken away perspective view of an article of luggage constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FIGURE l; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawings, a carrying case in accordance with the present invention generally includes a pair of spaced rigid end shells and 12, each provided with re spective opposed, inwardly facing peripheral flanges 14 and 16, extending around substantially the entire periphery of the respective end shells 10 and 12, and for-ming inwardly facing opposed grooves, or channels 18 and 20. A unitary member 22 including a structurally reinforced ibottom wall 24 and a pair of side walls 26 and 28 interconnects the end shells 10 and 12 so as to form lan integral open-topped enclosure. Although `the article is thus initi- -ally formed in an open configuration, it is adapted to be closed by a pair of overlapping lid pieces and 32, which extending longitudinally along and are pivotally secured to the side walls 26 and 28 respectively. The underlying lid piece 30 is provided with a suitable handle 34 of -a size which conveniently projects through an aperture 36 in the overlapping lid piece 32.

The unitary member 22 is generally U-shaped in crosssection and is formed of a single sheet of material so as to form a durable integral structure. The bottom wall 24 of the unitary member 22 is provided with structural rein- Iforcement by disposing a reinforcing strip or plate 38 on 'ice the inner surface of the bottom wall 24 in overlying relationship and generally coextensive therewith. The plate 38 is preferably secured to the bottom wall 24 by gluing I and is in turn overlaid by a thin layer of a leather or leatherette material (not shown) so as to retain an a-ttractive appearance. Since the bottom wall 24 carries a substantial amount of the stress, when a load is carried in the article, Aand is; generally subjected Ito relatively hard usage, the strip 38 is lfurther secured to the bottom wall 24 by the provision of a plurality of suitable rivets 40.

The bottom wall 24 is generally pro-vided with suitable feet 42 which project downwardly from the lower surface thereof and serve to support the article, when it is in a vertically upright position, as shown in FIGURE 1. Preferably the Vfeet 42 are secured to the bottom wall 24 by the rivets 40 `so that the plate 38, the lbottom wall 24, and the feet 42 define an integra-l rigid unit.

The bottom wall 24 and the side walls 26 and 28, which as previously mentioned, `are an integral unit, are preferably fabricated of a relatively durable material, which is attractive in appearance, such as a laminated leatherette.

The bottom `and side walls, forming the unitary member 22, `deiine an openended, open-topped structure the ends of which are closed by the end shells 10 and 12. The end shells 10 and 12 are forme-d of a rigid molded material generally similar in appearance to that of -the -U-shaped member 22, but having a relatively greater thickness so as to provide increased structural strength. The end shells 10 and 12 each comprise a generally flat rectangular sheet of material formed Ito include a panel 44 Vand 46 respectively and the associated peripheral flanges 14 and 16, each of which extends outwardly from its panel and is then reversed upon itself to provide spaced parallel walls, which define the inwardly facing peripheral grooves or channels 13 and 20 extending between the walls. The channels 18 and 26 on opposite end shells 10 and 12 are aligned with each other, and are adapted for receiving the end edges ofthe U-shaped member 22.

The flange 14 is formed as an integral part of the panel 44 and generally serves to structurally reinforce 'the `article. More particularly, .the flange 14 extends -around substantially the entire -periphery of :the .panel 44. The flange '14 thus substantially strengthens the panel `44 so .as to prevent bowing or warping, `as well as protecting the outer surface of the panel 44 from being -defaced, scuied, or otherwise damaged, when :subjected to hard usage. In addition, the walls `of the flanges 14 and 16 which define the channels 18 Vand 20 substantially strengthens and supports the attachment 'of 'the end shells :10 and 12 .to the member 22, as is subsequently explained in detail.

The end shells 10 and .12 [are attached to the unitary member 22 by disposing ,the outer endedges .of the mem` ber 22 into the opposed aligned channels 1|8 and 20 defined by the parallel walls of the flanges 14 and i116. These `outer end edges are secured in the channels `18 and 20 by lrows of stitching 48 and 50 respectively, extending through the end edges and through the parallel walls of the flanges 14 and 16, while the ioutwardly extending ends of .the flanges `,14 and 16 define a peripheral bead or rim 51 and '52, extending .around substantially the entire periphery of the end shells 10 .and 1'2 respectively. The end shells `10 and 12 are thus integrally connected with Ithe unit-ary member 22. In addition, as shown in FIG- URES 2 `and 3, the ends of the plate 38 also are secured within the channels 18 and 20 so as to `strengthen the overall, load-bearing lproperties of the article.

To further reinforce the upper ends of the dlanges 14 and 16 corresponding strips of rela-tively rigid materials 53 and 54 are disposed in the channels `1'8 and 20 respectively, extending between the upper ends of the side walls 26 and 28 and are secured by the rows of stitching 48 and Sti. The yflanges 14 and 16, thus provide substantial .structural reinforcement for the article by uniting several layers of material and securely stitching them together :and yalso form the relatively strong reinforced rim or bead 51 and 52 on opposite sides of the article. The beads 51 and 52 extend around substantially the entire periphery of the end shells and 12 so as to greatly strengthen .the article structurally las iwell as to provide a trim end appearance.

Preferably the side walls 26 :and 28 are arranged Ito terminate a suflicient distance below the upper ends of the lflanges l14 `and 16 so that the lid pieces 36 and 32 may conveniently be secured to the side walls 26 and `23 iat a point spaced -below the upper ends of the side walls 26 and 28. Thus the `l-id pieces 30 and `32 ,are partially bowed in shape so as to 'lit around the arcuate corners of the flanges '14 and 16, and thereby snugly close off the top sof the enclosure.

Itis quite advantageous to .attach the lid pieces 30 and 62 'to the side walls 26 and 28 iat a point spaced below the `upper ends of the latter. Such a configuration provides increased access to the interior of the article, since -there is no interference by the lid pieces Iit] and 32, while yielding increased protection for the con-tents, when the lid pieces 30 and 32 are -in an open position. Since the side walls 26 and 28 together with the end shells 10 and 12 extend above the pivot point at which the lid pieces 30 and 32 `are attached, increased protection is afforded the contents of the article, when the lid pieces 30 and 32 are in an open position by virtue of the vupwardly extending portions, lwhich in effect form a peripheral ledge 55. Since the lid pieces 30 and `32 are 4generally similar in structure and method of attachment to ,the respective side walls 126 and 28, only the lid piece 32 and its manner of attachment to its associated side wall 26 will be described in detail.

The lid piece 32 generally comprises a relatively narrow flexible strip A56 of material which is rigidly secured ,to 4the side wall 26 and a -generally bowed, relatively larger, molded member 57 comprising a sandwich including -a reinforcing plate 58 and overlying inner 'and outer layers of material (not shown) such as leather, leatherette, vinyl, etc. The member 57 is generally `bowed at one end, as shown, and is pivotally secured to ythe strip 56 by a double row of lstitching 59.

The strip 56 is of approximately .the same length as .the side wall 26 'and yis preferably secured thereto by par- 'allel spaced rows of stitching 60 and 62. To further strengthen the rigidity of this attachment, a reinforcing element `64 comprising an elongated, rigid bar of a material such as steel, is disposed between the `parallel rows of stitching 60 and 62 intermediate the strip 56 and the side wvall 426. The bar 64 is longitudinally coextensive with the strip l56 and is secured at its opposite ends to the strip 56 and the side wall 26 lby rivets 66, which extend through the strip 56, the ibar `641i, and the walls of ythe flanges 14 and 16. This provides an extremely strong bond between the lid piece 32 and the side wall 26. lMoreo-ver, it can :be readily seen that by fvirtue of its particular design, when the 'article is in a loaded state and is :being carried by the handle 34, most of Ithe stress is concentra-ted, on the rivets 66, securing the lid pieces 30 and 32 to the reinforced flanges 14 and y16. Thus the greatest stress is `generally .concentrated at the particular portions of the article which are provided with the greatest structural strength.

The molded member 57 comprising the lid piece 32 is secured to the strip 56 by the stitching 59 at a point spaced from the stitching 62 so as to allow the member 57 to pivot about the region intermediate the stitching 59 and the stitching 62. The molded member 57 is bowed, or curved, at its end at which it is attached to the strip 56 a suilicient amount to permit it to snugly fit around the arcuate corners of the end shells 16 and 12 and rest on the reinforced upper flanged portions thereof, when the lid piece 32 is in a closed position. Thus, as previously mentioned, the contents are protected, even when the lid pieces 30 and 32 are in an open position, since portions of the side walls 26 and 28 together with corresponding portions of the end shells 10 and 12 extend upwardly from the pivot line of the lid pieces 30 and 32, forming the ledge 55. To further increase the load-bearing properties of the article, the handle 34, which is provided on the lid piece 30, is also secured to the associated reinforcing plate 58 provided on the lid piece 30. Each of the lid pieces 30 and 32 is also provided with suitable associated latch means 70 so that the article may be conveniently secured in a closed position, when it is being carried or stored.

To increase the usefulness of the article, a plurality of separators or dividers 72 are preferably provided, which divide the interior into discrete compartments. The separators 72 are preferably maintained in position by disposing their opposite ends in the flanges 14 and 16 and extending the rivets 66 as well as the stitching 48 and 50 through these ends.

Thus, an extremely strong and durable carrying case has been described which provides excellent protection of its contents, while in both an open and a closed position.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the above-described article without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Various features of the present invention are set forth in the following claims.

1. A carrying case adaptable for transporting relatively heavy contents comprising opposed molded generally rectangular end shells having rounded corners and being fabricated of relatively rigid material, said end shells each being provided with a peripheral flange which extends outwardly therefrom around substantially the entire periphery of the shell and is reversed upon itself to define an inwardly facing channel, a unitary U-shaped member defining a bottom wall and a pair of side walls, a reinforcing panel secured to the bottom wall, said unitary member having its opposed ends including opposed ends of said reinforcing panel secured within said opposed channels to connect said end shells and cooperate therewith to deline an open-topped generally rectangular enclosure, a pair of pivotally mounted overlapping lid pieces each having a side extension curving around the upper side edges of said case and respectively secured to said side walls of said unitary member, means for pivotally securing each of said lid pieces to its respective side wall along a region spaced downwardly from the top of said side wall, said lid pieces being curved so as to seat on the arcuate flanged corners and the upper flanged portions of said end shells when said lid pieces are in a closed position, means for structurally reinforcing said lid pieces, a lifting handle rigidly secured to one of said lid pieces, and means defining a hole adapted for receiving said handle therethrough in said other lid piece when said lid pieces `are in a closed position.

2. An improved carrying case comprising an 'opentopped enclosure, said enclosure including a generally U- shaped member defining a bottom wall and a pair of side walls of said carrying case and a pair of end shells disposed on opposite ends of said unitary member, each of said end shells comprising a panel of rigid material and a flange extending outwardly from said panel along substantially the entire periphery thereof, said flange being reversed upon itself so as to provide a first portion generally normal to said panel and la second portion parallel to said first portion and spaced therefrom so as to define an inwardly facing channel therebetween adapted for receiving said opposite ends of said unitary member in intimate relationship therewith so as to define an integral structure, said ends of said bottom and side walls being secured within said channels, a reinforcing member secured within the upper portions of said channels extending between the upper ends of said side walls, rows of stitching extending through said parallel ilange walls -about substantially the entire periphery thereof, thereby securing said edges of said unitary member and said reinforcing member therein,'a pair of overlapping lid pieces curved to encircle the corners of said end shells so as to lit securely upon the upper anged portions of said end shells when said lid pieces are in a closed position, said lid pieces each extending longitudinally along a respective side wall of said unitary member and being pivotally fastened thereto along a region below the upper edge of said side wall, and a handle rigidly secured to one of said lid pieces for permitting said article to be lifted and transported conveniently, said opposite lid piece being provided with a hole adaptable .for receiving said handle when said article is in a closed position.

3. An improved carry-ing case comprising #a pair of spaced, substantially rectangularly shaped, molded end shells, each of said end lshells being provided with a peripheral flange extending outwardly therefrom and being reversed upon itself to form an inwardly lfacing channel extending around substantially the entire periphery of said end shell, a unitary member defining a bottom wall and a pair of side walls interconnecting said spaced end shells, said unitary member having opposite outer edges -secured within said channels so as to form an integral structure with said end shells, stitch means for securing said edges within said channels, and overlapping lid pieces disposed adjacent fthe upper end of each of said side walls of said unitary member, said lid pieces being molded so as to llt snugly about the arcuate corners of said end shells as Well as resting snugly upon the tops of the llanges of said end shells when said carrying case is in a closed position, said lid pieces being pivotally fastened longitudinally along respective side walls so las to remain in an open position when opened and a closed position when closed, one of said lid pieces being provided with Ia handle for lifting said article and the other of said lid pieces being provided with a hole for receiving said handle when said article is closed.

4. An improved carrying case adaptable for carrying relatively heavy items comprising opposed molded generally rectangular end shells fabricated of relatively rigid material, said end shells each being provided with a peripheral flange extending Ioutwardly therefrom and being reversed upon itself to define an inwardly facing channel, a member having a bottom Wall provided with a reinforcing panel secured thereto and substantially coextensive therewith and a pair of side walls, said member having its opposed ends disposed in said opposed channels so as to interconnect said end shells and define an open-topped generally rectangular enclosure, reinforcing means disposed within s-aid opposed channels extending between the upper ends of said side walls, stitch means extending around said peripheral flanges, a pair of pivotally mounted overlapping lid pieces respectively secured to said side walls of said member, said lid pieces extending longitudinally along substantially said entire side wall, stitch means for rigidly securing each of said lid pieces to its respective side wall at a region spaced downwardly from the top of said side wall, whereby said side walls form a lprotective ledge for safeguarding contents within said carrying case when said lid pieces are in an open position, reinforcing means for securing opposed ends of said lid pieces to said opposed peripheral llanges at points aligned with said stitch means, said reinforcing means being spaced downwardly from the top of said end shells, whereby said end shells form a second protective ledge cooperating with said rst protective ledge, means for structurally reinforcing said lid pieces, a lifting handle -rigidly secured to one of said lid pieces, and means defining an aperture in said other lid piece for receiving said handle 6 therethrough when said l-id pieces are in a closed position.

5. A carrying case .adaptable for carrying Irelatively heavy items comprising opposed molded generally 'rectangular end shells fabricated of relatively rigid material, said end shells each being provided with a peripheral llange extending outwardly therefrom and being reversed upon itself to define 'an inwardly facing channel and an outwardly facing peripheral bead, a member having a bottom wall and a pair of side walls, said member having its opposed ends disposed in said opposed channels so as to interconnect said end shells and cooperate therewith to deline an open-topped generally rectangular enclosure, stitch means extending around said peripheral llanges, a pair of pivotally mounted overlapping lid pieces respectively secured to said side Walls of said member, said lid pieces extending longitudinally along `substantially said entire side wall, a rigid reinforcing element disposed intermediate each of said lid pieces and its respective side wall, said elemenrt being generally longitudinally coextensive with said side wall, means for securing said lid piece and said reinforcing element to its respective side wall, la pair of rivets disposed at opposite ends of each of said lid pieces and extending through said lid piece with its associated reinforcing element and said peripheral flange so las to provide substantial structural reinforcement, a lifting handle rigidly secured to one of said lid pieces and means defining 1an aperture in said other lid piece for receiving said handle therethrough when said lid pieces are in a closed position.

6. A carrying case adaptable for carrying relatively heavy items comprising opposed molded generally rectangular end shells fabricated of relatively 4rigid material, said end shells each being provided with a peripheral flange extending outwardly therefrom and being reversed upon itself to define an inwardly facing channel, said peripheral llange extending around substantially the entire periphery of each of said end shells, a member having a bottom wall provided with a reinforcing panel secured thereto and substantially coextensive therewith and a pair lof side walls, said member having itsopposed ends disposed in said opposed channels so as to interconnect said end shells, and define an open-topped generally rectangular enclosure, stitch means extending around substantially the entire periphery of said peripheral llanges, a pair of overlapping lid pieces respectively secured to said side walls of said member by spaced parallel -rows of stitching, said lid pieces :and said rows of stitching extending `longitudinally along substantially said entire side wall, a rigid reinforcing element secured within the spacing between said parallel rows of stitching and intermediate said lid piece and its respective side wall, a pair of rivelts provided at opposite ends of said lid pieces, said rivets extending through said lid pieces, said -reinforcing element, and said peripheral llange so as to substantially increase the rigidity of the securement of said lid piece to said carrying oase, thereby providing increased structural reinforce-1 ment at a point of maximum mechanical stress, whereby the load bearing properties of said carrying case are substantially enhanced.

7. A carrying case adaptable for carrying relatively heavy items comprising opposed molded generally rectangular end shells fabricated of relatively rigid material, said end shells each being provided with a peripheral flange extending outwardly therefrom and being reversed upon itself to define an inwardly facing channel, said peripheral llange extending around substantially the entire periphery of each of said end shells, a generally U-shaped unitary member having a bottom wall provided with a reinforcing panel secured thereto and substantially coextensive therewith and a pair of side walls, said member having its opposed ends disposed in said opposed channels so as to interconnect said end shells, and dellne an open-topped generally rectangular enclosure,

reinforcing means disposed within said opposed channels extending 'between the upper ends of said side walls, stitch means extending about substantially the entire periphery of said peripheral flanges, a pair of overlapping lid pieces respectively secured to said side walls of said unitary member by spaced parallel rows of stitching extending between each of said lid pieces and its associated side wall, thereby pivotally securing said lid piece toits respective side wall at a region spaced downwardly from the top of said side wall, a reinforcing element comprising a bar of rigid material disposed between said parallel rows of stitching securing each of said lid pieces to its associated side wall, said reinforcing element being substantially longitudinally coextensive with said lid piece, means for securing said lid pieces to said opposed peripheral flanges at a point spaced downwardly from the top portion of said peripheral flanges, said securing means comprising rivets attaching said lid pieces to said peripheral anges through said reinforcing elements so as to provide a substantially strengthened integral structure, whereby a region of maximum stress is provided with substantially increased structural strength, means defining a protective ledge extending upwardly from the region at which said lid pieces are secured to said side walls and said peripheral flanges for safeguarding contents within said carrying case when said lid pieces are in an open position, a lifting handle rigidly secured to one of said lid pieces and means dening an aperture in said other lid piece for receiving said handle therethrough when said lid pieces are in a closed position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CARRYING CASE ADAPTABLE FOR TRANSPORTING RELATIVELY HEAVY CONTENTS COMPRISING OPPOSED MOLDED GENERALLY RECTANGULAR END SHELLS HAVING ROUNDED CORNERS AND BEING FABRICATED OF RELATIVELY RIGID MATERIAL, SAID END SHELLS EACH BEING PROVIDED WITH A PERIPHERAL FLANGE WHICH EXTENDS OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AROUND SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE PERIPHERY OF THE SHELL AND IS REVERSED UPON ITSELF TO DEFINE AN INWARDLY FACING CHANNEL, A UNITARY U-SHAPED MEMBER DEFINING A BOTTOM WALL AND A PAIR OF SIDE WALLS, A REINFORCING PANEL SECURED TO THE BOTTOM WALL, SAID UNITARY MEMBER HAVING ITS OPPOSED ENDS INCLUDING OPPOSED ENDS OF SAID REINFORCING PANEL SECURED WITHIN SAID OPPOSED CHANNELS TO CONNECT SAID END SHELLS AND COOPERATE THEREWITH TO DEFINE AN OPEN-TOPPED GENERALLY RECTANGULAR ENCLOSURE, A PAIR OF PIVOTALLY MOUNTED OVERLAPPING LID PIECES 